You're not alone. One out of every five women deals with thinning hair every day.

If you're a woman with thinning hair...if you've noticed a widening of your natural part...or if it seems that you have less hair to work with than previously...you are not alone. This is a natural female condition, and over 20 million American women share similar hair experiences every day.

Fortunately, it is a treatable condition.

For women's diffuse hair loss, only Rogaine has been proven to regrow hair.

Rogaine is the first and only prescription drug medically proven to regrow hair for women with diffuse hair loss.

While there are many different types of hair loss, the most common is described by physicians as androgenetic alopecia. This is common hereditary hair loss and may be inherited from either side of your family. And while there are many different causes of hair loss in women, androgenetic alopecia is responsible for 95% of all female hair loss. It is a very common and absolutely normal condition.

There's a big difference between male and female hair loss.

If you're like most women, you probably became aware of your condition by noticing more and more hairs in your comb, brush, sink, or shower. Or that your hair became harder to style or, simply that you had less hair to work with.

As you read on you'll discover how scientists believe Rogaine works to regrow your own natural, healthy hair. But because thinning hair can also be temporarily caused by medical conditions, medications, even pregnancy, it's important to see a dermatologist or other doctor experienced in treating hair loss to diagnose your specific hair-loss condition. (Causes of hair loss other than heredity are usually irreversible). What's more, a doctor can help you decide whether Rogaine is the right treatment option for you.

Rogaine may regrow your hair.

In 8-month clinical tests conducted by dermatologists, 59% of the women using Rogaine Topical Solution (minoxidil topical solution 2%) reported hair regrowth (19% had moderate hair regrowth and 40% had minimal regrowth). This compared with 7% moderate regrowth and 33% minimal regrowth for those using a placebo (a similar solution without the active incredient in Rogaine). No regrowth was reported in 41% of the group using Rogaine and 60% of the group using a placebo.

Your hair: A closer look.

Hair grows in cycles, advancing in length 1/2 to 1 inch each month. Shedding is a normal part of this cycle. Even a woman with a full healthy head of hair can lose between 50 to 100 hairs a day. When you are dealing with androgenetic alopecia however, a combination of heredity, hormones, and age causes certain hair follicles to get smaller and smaller. This doesn't allow the hair to grow for a long enough time. And hair that can only grow for a short time is shorter, thinner...even colorless. Eventually, the follicle produces no hair at all.

Scientists call the process miniaturization of the hair follicle. This is a common condition that over 20 million women in the United States live with. But with Rogaine it is now possible to actually regrow hair.

How Rogaine works to regrow hair.

The key to success is knowing that Rogaine is a treatment and not a cure. It won't give you all the hair you once had, but it does encourage regrowth. And even a little more hair to work with can make a difference, For example, you may find it gives you alot more freedom twith how you style and wear your hair.

At least 4 months of twice-daily treatments are usually necessary before you'll begine to see evidence of regrowth. Keep in mind, all hair grows slowly. You should also understand that Rogaine is an ongoing treatment. If you stop, you'll probably lose your newly regrown hair in a few months. So, to keep the results you need to stick with it.

What will you see if you respond to Rogaine? First you may notice less shedding within 90 days of beginning treatment. New growth may appear soft, downy, and barely visible. That's a good sign because it shows that Rogaine is actually stimulating regrowth. After further treatment, the new hair should be the same color and thickness as the other hair on your scalp. With more hair regrowing longer and thicker at the same time, you may find you have more hair to work with.

Who are the best candidate for treatment with Rogaine?

Individual response to treatment cannot be predicted. However, because Rogaine works in part by partially reversing the miniaturization of the hair follicle, it must be applied to active follicles still capable of producing hair.

It's easy to use. And fits into your everyday routine.

And it's easy to use. All you have to do is apply it twice a day -- once in the morning and once at night -- to a clean, dry scalp. It takes just minutes a day. In fact, it probably takes less time that you spend brushing your teeth.

You can still wash and blow dry your hair as you always do. If you shampoo, Rogaine should be applied after you've finished and dried your hair. You should not shampoo your hair or wet your scalp for 4 hours after applying Rogaine.

As you might expect, if you color or perm your hair, you should use the most gentle products available. Since Rogaine isn't greasy, it won't weight your hair down or make it look unnatural. And you can style your hair as usual with mousse, gel, or hair spray.

Rogaine is proven safe to use.

You can rest assured that Rogaine Topical Solution (minoxidil topical solution 2%) has undergone extensive testing and has been proven to be safe.

In clinical studies involving 6,000 men and women, adverse reactions to Rogaine were minimal. The most common side effect -- itching and irritation of the scalp -- occurred in only 7% of people tested. That's compared with 5% of those who used the placebo (a similar solution without the active ingredient in Rogaine).

You should apply Rogaine only to a normal, healthy scalp that's not sunburned or irritated. Naturally, you should discuss any questions you may have about Rogaine with your doctor.

Rogaine should not be used by pregnant or nursing women because studies were not conducted in these groups. Effectiveness in postmenopausal women has not been studied.

Take the next step. See a doctor.

A hair-loss exam with an experienced doctor involves a simple examination, mostly around the scalp. It is not a major physical. The doctor may also check your blood pressure and pulse, and ask you a few simple questions about your medical and hair-loss history. Hereditary hair loss is usually responsible for most female hair loss, however, your doctor may suggest a few simple tests to rule out other potential causes.

More importantly, you'll get the chance to speak with a physician experiences in treating hair loss, someone who knows what options are available, and who can explain the pros and cons of all of them. So schedule an appointment soon.

For the names of doctors near you who are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of hair loss in women, please call 1-800-647-6622.

SOME ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WOMEN OFTEN ASK ABOUT ROGAINE.

Q. Isn't genetic hair loss just a man's problem?

A. No. But that is a common misconception among many women. If hair loss is prevalent on either side of your family, then you might be genetically predisposed to "inherit" hair loss. Keep in mind that this is a common condition that over 20 million women in the United States live with every day. Thanks to Rogaine Topical Solution (minoxidil topical solution 2%) though, it may now be possible to regrow new hair.

A. The exact mechanism by which Rogain Topical Solution (minoxidil topical solution 2%) stimulates hair growth is unknown. But many scientists believe that Rogaine works, in part, by extending the growing cycle of hair. With more hair growing longer and thicker at the same time, you may see improved scalp coverage.

Q. When will I see results?

A. You may notice less shedding within 90 days of beginning your therapy. And while some people see results faster than others, at least 4 months of twice-daily treatments are usually necessary before there's evidence of regrowth.

A. Yes. Women with thinning hair should use the most gentle products available, such as temporary rinses, semipermanent dyes, and acid-based perms.

A. In clinical studies, the most common side effects were scalp itching and irritation, which occurred in 7% of the people who used Rogaine.

A. Yes. As new growth begins, old hairs may be released from the scalp, resulting in a temporary increase in shedding. This occurs about 2 to 6 weeks after you begin treatment and subsides within a few weeks. If this shedding continues, consult your doctor.

A. Rogaine should have no effect on your current styling routine. So you can continue to use mousse, gel, or hair spray absolutely worry free!

A. No. For as little as $1.49 per day (based on the average cost of an Economy 3-pack) you could actually get back something that may be worth a lot to you: the chance to regrow your own healthy, natural hair.

A. While many products may give your hair extra body or make it appear fuller, only Rogaine has been medically proven to regrow hair for women.

A. Women in our clinical studies were advised to wash their hair with a mild shampoo at least every other day because Rogaine should be applied to a clean scalp.

A. Efficacy in postmenopausal women has not been studied.

A. See a dermatologist or other doctor experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of hair loss in women. They can answer your questions and help you decide whether Rogaine is right for you. So call and schedule your appointment today.